• Australian notches 1-3 moto scores, takes over 450 title-chase lead
• Third overall for Jett Lawrence, also third in points standings
• Jo Shimoda takes third overall in 250 division

Team Honda HRC Progressive rider Hunter Lawrence cleared an important milestone this weekend at Fort Worth’s Texas Motor Speedway, taking the first victory of his young premier-class career via 1-3 moto scores. The Australian’s timing was impeccable, as the win came at SuperMotocross World Championship Playoff 2, which paid double points, putting him in first place in the title chase, with only the Final remaining. Meanwhile, younger brother and defending champion Jett Lawrence ended the day third overall via a 3-2 moto tally. In the 250 division, Jo Shimoda was a solid third on the day after he posted 2-3 finishes in the motos.

Hunter Lawrence snared the 450 moto 1 holeshot aboard his CRF450RWE, with Jett four positions back. By the end of lap 1, Jett was up to second, close on the heels of his brother and teammate. A mistake by Hunter just before the 8-minute mark allowed Jett into the lead, but a mistake by Jett a couple of laps later let both Hunter and Eli Tomac by. That kicked off an exciting battle for second between Jett and Tomac around the slippery track, and the moto ended with Hunter, Tomac and Jett in close formation.

While moto 2 once again saw a CRF rider take the holeshot, it was Phoenix Racing Honda’s Dylan Ferrandis, while both Lawrence brothers were out of the top 10, setting up a race marked by hard work in the withering heat. Hunter and Jett were up to fourth and fifth at the 15-minute mark, and then Jett got by for fourth a couple of minutes later. Jett and Hunter soon advanced to second and third, respectively, and that’s where they would finish, with Hunter earning the overall win (despite a last-lap off-track excursion) and Jett taking third.

All within the scope of the first lap of 250 moto 1, Shimoda exited turn 1 in third place, immediately moved up one position, briefly took over the lead, and then slipped back to second just before the finish line. That’s the position he held for the remainder of the race, crossing the finish line four-and-a-half seconds behind Haiden Deegan.

Shimoda was pinched off in turn 1 of moto 2 and crossed the holeshot line in eighth place, then spent the rest of the race working his way forward on a track where passing was difficult. He eventually made it to third, good for the same position overall.

NOTES

• The Fort Worth SMX round saw Team Honda HRC Progressive organize a fun collaboration with the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF), the only organization dedicated to meeting families’ needs along every step of their cancer journey. Thursday was a happy hour at Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda, and the next morning, all four riders and Team Manager Lars Lindstrom paid a visit to the infusion center at Cook Children’s Medical Center. For the on-track action, the riders ran special gear and Throttle Jockey graphics featuring characters from the “Imaginary Friend Society,” cartoon creatures who explain a wide range of complicated cancer topics in a way that kids can understand. In addition, PBTF patients, families and donors were hosted by the team and given the opportunity to meet the riders and do a truck tour. Keep an eye out for information on an auction for the autographed bodywork from all four bikes.
• All four Team Honda HRC Progressive riders participated in the Friday press conference in Fort Worth, before they each took part in a pair of free-practice sessions.
• On Friday evening, Chance Hymas and his team made the difficult decision to have him sit out the remainder of the SMX series. Hymas has been riding with a torn ACL all season, but he has been able to compete at a high level. However, he suffered a bone bruise in the second moto at Charlotte and experienced discomfort during Friday’s free-practice sessions. Based on past experience, the team is confident Hymas will be ready to compete at a high level in a matter of weeks. The focus is for him to be totally prepared to race for Team USA at the Motocross of Nations on October 6 at Matterley Basin in England.
• Team Honda HRC Progressive had a solid showing in morning qualifying at Fort Worth, with Jett and Hunter Lawrence first and second on the 450 time sheets, respectively, while Jo Shimoda was second in the 250 division.
• Jett Lawrence turned the fastest lap time in the second 450 moto, and Jo Shimoda had the fastest lap time in the second 250 moto.
• Honda’s perfect overall-win streak in the SMX series’ premier class remained intact at Fort Worth. In the series’ young life, Honda CRF450RWE riders have been victorious at all five rounds, with three wins going to Jett Lawrence. Chase Sexton took one victory last year (when he was with Honda), and Hunter Lawrence now has one win.
• Including AMA Supercross and SuperMotocross, Honda has the most premier-class wins in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex area, with Hunter’s win pushing the tally to 12. Premier-class Red Riders to win include Johnny O’Mara, David Bailey, Rick Johnson (twice), Jean-Michel Bayle, Jeremy McGrath (twice), Doug Henry, Ezra Lusk, Kevin Windham (twice), Ricky Carmichael, Trey Canard and now Hunter Lawrence.
• Following the Fort Worth round (which paid double points), the 450 title chase is very close heading into the finals next weekend. Hunter holds the lead with 90 points and will run the red plate in Las Vegas, with Chase Sexton at 89 and defending champion Jett Lawrence at 81. With triple points being paid at the finale, Las Vegas is very likely to be a winner-take-all situation.

Jett Lawrence 18 “It was a bit of a rollercoaster day. I felt good in the first moto, but I made a little mistake and ended up stalling. Unfortunately, I couldn’t fight back to second and had to settle for third. I didn’t get a great start in the final moto and clawed back to second, but that first-moto mistake really didn’t help. I’m looking forward to a winner-take-all last round; I’m ready to give it my all and let the chips fall where they may.”

Hunter Lawrence 96 “It was an awesome day in Texas. We made the best of a really tough, grueling racetrack. I’m super stoked to get this win for myself and the team; it’s the ultimate thank-you to everyone involved. I’m looking forward to leaving it all out there in Vegas. Let’s go, baby!”

Jo Shimoda 30 “I felt good in qualifying with a second, and I got decent starts all day. My fitness is great; I just need to find more pace. The goal was to still be in the fight when we get to the last round, and I’m ready to try and put it all together next weekend.”

Lars Lindstrom Team Manager “Wow, that was a brutal weekend, both with the temperature and the track conditions! Everyone on the team is so happy for Hunter to get that first 450 overall win in his rookie year—that’s something that not a lot of people are able to do. The collaboration with the PBTF was great, and I want to thank the gear companies (Alpinestars, Fly and Fox), our graphics sponsor Throttle Jockey, and the mechanics for their hard work to pull off four different looks on four different bikes. It will be a very exciting final in Las Vegas, and it will be interesting to see how those track conditions will be; they could be very similar to these, which are not ideal for anyone. We’ll do everything we can to give our riders the best chance at winning!”